To Find the Truth

By Karon Curtis

In this riveting sequel to Mama's Deadly Secret, we follow Payton Watson through the aftermath of his accident and his quest to find the truth about what happened to him.

Unable to remember the details that led up to the accident, Payton had more questions than answers and leaned on his family for information. His family refused to talk to him about the accident, and he began to feel helpless. Payton turned to Tiffany, the only person that had been there for him through the whole ordeal.

Despite the stress from the accident and tension building up at home, Payton found comfort in Tiffany and shared his feelings with her. They spend a lot of time together, and subsequently their relationship begins to flourish. But their relationship is soon put to the test. His ex-girlfriend won't leave him alone, a chance encounter with Detective Casey sheds light on the accident, and a call from an old friend sparks his curiosity.

Later, Payton becomes curious about the accident and wants to know the truth. As he begins his search to find the truth, he meets a stranger with ties to the man that nearly killed him, and what the stranger tells him will blow his mother's secret wide open.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662479052

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To Find the Truth

Karon Curtis

Copyright © 2022 Karon Curtis

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-7904-5 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-7905-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

About the Author

Chapter 1

The Watsons had good reason to miss Watch Night service at New Hope Baptist Church. There were no qualms about it: Mr. Watson packed his family into his SUV and headed to Memorial Hospital to bring in the New Year with Payton.

Payton had many visitors during his stay at Memorial Hospital. Coach Monroe visited and told Payton how much he was missed and that he and his family were praying for him. He told Payton not to worry about the rest of the season and to focus on getting better.

Garrett, Alex, and Cameron visited Payton and told him that they couldn't wait for him to get out of the hospital and that he had to get better soon because Caldwell High wasn't the same without him.

Cameron joked and told Payton that the team needed his lazy ass back on the court. Payton laughed between the bouts of pain and told his friends that he would try his best to get back on the court as soon as possible.

Alex worried about how the Cougars were going to win the regional championship game without Payton. Payton reminded his friends that they could win. If they played their positions, protected the boards, and sunk every free throw, they would be the regional champions.

Shayla, Nikki, and Brie visited and told Payton that they missed his smiling face and humor at school. Keisha visited and told Payton how much she loved him even though she had a new boyfriend. Even under mild sedation, Payton was happy for Keisha and relieved that she wouldn't be bothering him anymore.

When Angela visited Payton, she came bearing gifts and shared the sad news about Mr. Rhodes. Angela reminded Payton that Mr. Rhodes had fallen into a coma on Christmas day and died a week later.

Payton was saddened by the news, mainly because he didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Mr. Rhodes. He immediately thought about Lexi and hoped that she was okay. Her father, Mr. Rhodes, was the only family she had in Virginia. Reluctantly, Payton asked Angela how Lexi was doing and was happy to learn that Lexi was doing well.

Angela told Payton that he was Mr. Rhodes's favorite and that Mr. Rhodes had left something for him. With a surprised look on his face, and through the wheezing of sporadic pain spells, Payton asked Angela what was it that Mr. Rhodes left for him. Angela smiled and removed a tin can from her bag and set it on the bed.

Payton laughed through the pain when he saw the dominoes. When his laughter turned to sniffles, Angela told Payton that she missed Mr. Rhodes too, and that Mr. Rhodes was in a better place. Payton agreed.

Payton's favorite visits were from Tiffany. Tiffany visited Payton every weekend. She would tidy up his room, make his bed comfortable, and read his get-well cards to him. Afterward, she and Payton would talk for hours about school, basketball, prom, and college.

Payton missed school, but he missed hanging out with his friends more than anything. His greatest disappointment was missing the games and helping his team put points on the board. Tiffany made him feel better about that. She lifted his spirits every time she told him that his team played every game for him, even the one game that they lost.

On one of Tiffany's visits, when Payton wasn't too drugged up, he asked Tiffany to be his prom date. Payton was overjoyed that Tiffany said yes. Her response gave him all the motivation he needed to get better.

Officer Tilson visited Payton as well. Her visits weren't long. She stopped by to pray for Payton, and then she would leave and get back to her shift.

Detective Casey visited Payton to get answers to a few questions he had. But even on Payton's better days, he didn't remember anything. Payton apologized and told the detective that he couldn't remember. Detective Casey told Payton not to worry and to call him if he remembered anything.

Payton's family visited every day. His parents made sure he was comfortable and had everything he needed while he recovered. They told him how much they loved him and how they couldn't wait for him to come home. They watched Payton as he touched the bandages that covered his head and his wrist. And they watched him as he stared at the cast on his leg, wondering what happened. Payton wanted to know what happened to him, but no one spoke of the accident or his injuries.

Payton's family was there when the bandages around his head were permanently removed. They were there for the follow-up X-rays, tests, and minor surgeries, and Payton's family was there when Dr. Shepard told him that his basketball days were over, that the injuries he suffered to his leg were too severe for him to play basketball. But Payton didn't accept the doctor's report. Payton had faith and believed that he would play basketball again.

Chapter 2

In mid-March, Payton was released from the hospital. He couldn't wait to get home and enjoy the comforts of his room, relax in his own bed, use his own bathroom, watch television, and play video games. However, Payton was in for a big surprise. When his father rolled him into the house, he was met with music, balloons, and lots of smiles from his family and friends.

Welcome home, Payton! everyone yelled. One by one, his family and friends gave him welcome-home hugs and kisses. Payton was delighted to see his family. Grandma Delores and Grandpa Gene were there. Uncle Spencer and Aunt Diane were there with their kids, Nate and Arianna, and Aunt Gloria and Uncle Kenny were there with their twins, Riley and Reagan. Payton searched the room for his mother's parents, but he didn't see them.

Ma, where's Grandma Rose and Grandpa Tubby?

They couldn't make it, his mother replied.

Why not?

Grandma wasn't feeling well, so Grandpa decided not to come down.

Oh, okay. I'll call them later, said Payton.

Garrett, Alex, and Cameron were there as well as Shayla and her crew. Keisha was there too, and so were a few of Payton's teammates. Pastor McNight, First Lady Jocelyn, and a few choir members were also there to celebrate Payton's return.

Tiffany and her father were there as well. When Payton saw Tiffany, he smiled from ear to ear. Tiffany welcomed Payton home with a kiss to his cheek.

We're glad you're home. And when you're ready, I want you to come over for dinner, said Ron.

Thank you, Mr. Campbell. I sure will, said Payton.

We're glad you're okay too, said Riley and Reagan.

Aww, thanks.

You look good, cuz, said Nate.

Yes, he does, said Arianna as she wiped a tear away.

Thanks, said Payton.

Y'all better stop lying to him, joked Kennedy.

Payton chuckled and attempted to chase Kennedy in his wheelchair, but she quickly ran away with the twins on her heels. Jessica and Eric were overwhelmed with the love Payton received, but on the other hand, they were tired and needed to rest.

Why don't you and Jessica go upstairs and rest? We got it from here, said Spencer.

Thanks, Spencer. We'll be back down later, said Eric.

Spencer rolled Payton into the dining room. He helped Payton get out of the wheelchair and into a chair at the table.

Thanks, Uncle Spencer.

Anytime. I'm gonna go check on the food. Be right back. You good?

Yes, replied Payton. As Spencer walked out of the dining room, Paris, Derek, and Payton's friends entered.

Man, it's really good to see you, said Derek.

Thanks, Derek. It's good to be home, said Payton.

So did you get all the hot nurses or what? Alex asked.

Ha, ha, ha, said Brie as she knocked Alex in the head.

Chill, Brie, I'm just joking.

You better be, said Brie.

You two are a trip, said Payton.

Payton looked around the room and saw Nate talking to Shayla. Shayla was laughing and vigorously shaking her head back and forth, totally amused at whatever Nate was saying to her. Then Nate hugged Shayla and walked away.

C'mere, cuz, said Payton.

What's up? Nate asked.

I saw you over there with Shayla. What's up with that?

None of your business, replied Nate.

Yeah, okay. Whatever.

I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be back.

Hey, P, said Cameron. We got something for you.

Cameron waved his arm toward the small crowd standing in the distance. Coach Monroe and Payton's teammates walked into the dining room, chanting, Go, Cougars, go. Go, Cougars, go. Coach Monroe placed a huge trophy on the table. Payton looked at the trophy and read the words engraved on the gold plate. Caldwell Cougars 2012 Regional Basketball Champions.

Wow, you guys did it! he shouted.

"No. We did it, and we couldn't have done it without your support and encouragement," said Garrett.

The Cougars are regional champs, said Coach Monroe. Your teammates went out there and dominated the court. They played like champions, and they did it for you, Payton.

"Thanks, Coach. You guys are the best.

Chapter 3

Every Saturday and Wednesday, Payton had therapy at the rehabilitation clinic. For Payton, every session was an hour of his life wasted, an hour that he couldn't get back, and an hour that he would have rather spent with Tiffany.

Payton didn't look forward to his Saturday sessions. His therapist, Lamar, didn't talk much, and he was a bore. Lamar was all about work, work, work, and didn't deviate from the schedule. Every Saturday, Lamar signed Payton in, took him into a small room, asked him a few questions, and got to work.

And today was no different. When Payton got out of bed, he felt a sharp pain in his left leg. His leg, which was once covered by a cast, was now masked with a nasty scar, but the medicated ointment was working, and the scar was slowly disappearing.

Most days, Payton didn't feel any residual pain from the accident. For the most part, he felt strong and didn't see the point in going to therapy twice a week. Unfortunately, Payton's parents didn't agree. One way or another, his parents made sure he didn't miss therapy.

Before Payton jumped in the shower, he looked at himself in the mirror. He touched the scar on the side of his head, hoping that by prom night, his hair would have grown enough to cover it. He touched the scars on his face and neck, pleased to see that the scars were healing.

Payton thought about Tiffany as he got dressed. She was his girlfriend now, and he was happy about that. But Payton owed Tiffany time. Two and a half months of their relationship were spent at Memorial Hospital, and Payton vowed that once he was out of the hospital, he would begin to make up for the lost time.

Payton put his plan in motion right away. With his savings, he reserved a room at the Atrium Hotel in Virginia Beach. He planned to spend prom weekend on the beach with Tiffany, and only Tiffany.

Payton went downstairs. He put two blueberry waffles in the toaster and called Tiffany.

Hey, Tiff. What's up?

Not much. Just surfing the net for a prom dress.

You haven't found a dress yet?

Nope. Finding the perfect dress takes time, she replied.

The perfect dress to go with the perfect guy, said Payton.

You are so full of yourself. Tiffany laughed. Don't you have therapy today?

Yeah. I'm waiting on my mom now.

Oh okay. Well don't forget about tonight, and please don't be late.

I won't. See you later, Tiff. As Payton finished his waffles, Kennedy threw her arms around his neck.

Gotcha! she yelled.

Yeah, you did, said Payton.

Was that Tiffany?

Yep, and she's gonna be your auntie one day.

Yeah, right. Kennedy laughed. And I'm gonna marry Bow Wow.

You'll see, said Payton.

You're such a dreamer, Payton, but I still love you.

"You want to marry Bow Wow, and I'm the dreamer…yeah, okay," said Payton.

Kennedy laughed. See you later, bro. I'm going to the mall.

With who?

Jake, replied Kennedy.

Jake. The white boy from down the street?

Yes, and he's biracial, so stop hatin'.

Does mom know?

She sure does, replied Kennedy. And if you don't believe me, just ask her.

Kennedy stuck out her tongue and ran upstairs. Payton put his plate in the sink and wiped down the island. Then, without hesitation, he spun around and took a hook shot from behind the island.

Swish, he whispered.

Practicing your hook shot, huh? said his mother.

Yeah. I gotta get back on the courts.

Payton, you remember what the doctor said, right?

Yep, but that's his opinion, he replied. I believe that I'll play ball again, and that's what I'm gonna do.

Well, can you promise me that you won't play ball until after your therapy sessions are over?

I promise, replied Payton.

Are you ready to go?

Yes, ma'am.

Okay then. Let's go.

Payton followed his mother into the garage and got in the car. He connected his seat belt and put his earplugs in his ears. He bobbed his head as he listened to music on his playlist. When his mother signaled to remove his earplugs, he tapped the pause button on his phone and pulled the earplugs out of his ears.

Yes? he said.

How are you feeling?

Good, he replied.

Ma, you let Kennie go to the mall with that Jake kid?

No, I let Kennie go to the mall with Jake and his mother.

You know his mother ain't going to the mall with them, right? She's probably just gonna drop them off and go about her business.

Stop presuming, Payton, his mother said. That's not like you.

Whatever, said Payton.

Boy, what is going on with you? You have been besides yourself lately, and I don't like this new attitude.

I'm just tired, he whined. "And why